PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR POWDERS, AND METHOD FOR DECONTAMINATION OF SUCH A PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a processing system for in particular pharmaceutical powders, and to a method for decontamination of such a processing system. The processing system includes a processing device for the powder, and a closed housing with an inner production space in which the processing device is arranged. The processing system further includes a steam generator via which water vapor is introduced into the production space in such a quantity that air supersaturated with water vapor develops there at least in some parts. Any powder residues present are bound via water since, on account of the supersaturation, water condenses in the production space. The condensed water, including powder residues bound therein, is removed, in particular with the housing opened.

Claims

1. A processing system for pharmaceutical powders, the processing system comprising: a processing device for the powder; a closed housing defining an inner production space; said processing device being arranged in said inner production space enclosed by said housing; and, a steam generator configured to introduce water vapor into said inner production space in such a way that air supersaturated with water vapor develops in at least some parts of said inner production space.

2. The processing system of claim 1 further comprising a stationary steam nozzle arranged in said inner production space, wherein said stationary steam nozzle is configured to be supplied by said steam generator.

3. The processing system of claim 1 further comprising a pressure nozzle which is to be guided manually.

4. The processing system of claim 3, wherein said pressure nozzle is configured to be supplied from the steam generator.

5. The processing system of claim 1 further comprising an ultrasonic humidifier for introducing moisture into said inner production space.

6. A method for decontamination of a processing system having a processing device for powder; a closed housing defining an inner production space; the processing device being arranged in the inner production space enclosed by the housing; and, a steam generator configured to introduce water vapor into the inner production space; the method comprising: introducing water vapor into the inner production space in such a quantity that air supersaturated with the water vapor develops in at least some parts of the inner production space, wherein any powder residues present are bound via water because, on account of the supersaturation, water condenses in the production space; and, removing the condensed water, including powder residues bound therein.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the condensed water, including powder residues bound therein, is removed, with the housing opened.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising preliminary cleaning via a pressure nozzle with the housing closed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pressure nozzle is supplied from the steam generator.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the binding of powder residues, which is brought about by condensed water, is supported via an ultrasonic humidifier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] The invention will now be described with reference to the single figure of the drawing (FIG. 1) which shows a perspective view of a processing system configured according to the disclosure for pharmaceutical powders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a processing system configured according to the disclosure for pharmaceutical powders. The processing system includes a processing device 1 (indicated only schematically as a block) for the powder, which processing device 1 is in this case a capsule-filling device, although it can also be a tablet press or the like. The processing system 1 moreover includes a closed housing 2, which encloses an inner production space 3 and seals the latter off hermetically from the outside environment during operation. The processing device 1 is positioned in this inner production space 3 such that no partial quantities of the powder that is to be processed can escape to the outside.

[0020] The processing device 1 can be operated from the outside of the housing 2 via a user interface 11. The operation can be visually monitored through a window 13, which is additionally equipped with glove ports 14. When necessary, manual access can be obtained via the glove ports 14, without the housing 2 having to be opened. In the decontaminated state, however, the housing 2 can be opened, for which purpose a door 12 is provided.

[0021] During the operation of the processing device 1, powder residues can settle in the inner production space 3, on the inner faces of the housing 2 and also on all surfaces of the processing device 1. In addition, airborne powder particles are suspended in the air of the production space 3. All of these powder residues or powder particles have to be removed by cleaning if necessary. For this purpose, the processing system includes a steam generator 4 in addition to the housing 2 and to the processing device 1 arranged in the inner production space 3. The steam generator 4 is shown as an autonomous unit separate from the housing 2, but it can also be integrated in the housing 2 or in the processing device 1. The steam generator 4 is controlled via the user interface 11. The steam generator 4 is connected to the housing 2 via a medium-conveying hose 10. During operation, that is, for the purpose of decontamination after the end of production or in a production break, hot water vapor, that is, water in its gaseous phase, is generated via the steam generator 4 and is introduced through the medium-conveying hose 10 into the production space 3. As regards its capacity and control, the steam generator 4 is configured such that air supersaturated with water vapor develops in the production space. Thus, in the corresponding method step, water vapor is introduced into the production space 3 in such a quantity that the air present therein anyway is supersaturated with water vapor and consequently leads to condensation of water. The condensation of the water takes place on all the free surfaces within the production space 3, that is, as droplets of mist on powder particles suspended freely in the air contained in the production space, on the inner faces of the housing 2, and on all the free surfaces of the processing device 1. Water vapor continues to be introduced until all the suspended particles of mist droplets are caught and until all surfaces are wetted with condensation water in the liquid phase to such an extent that powder residues adhering to them are bound by the water. The mist droplets, with the powder particles bound therein, form a sediment after a while, that is, settle on the inner faces of the housing 2 and on the free surfaces of the processing device 1.

[0022] After condensation and sedimentation have taken place, that is, after binding of the powder residues, the door 12 can be opened and the production space 3, including the processing device 1, can be cleaned. For this purpose, the condensate, with the powder residues bound therein, can be suctioned off and/or wiped off.

[0023] In the illustrative embodiment shown, the water vapor is introduced into the production space 3 via a stationary steam nozzle supplied via a steam line 8. The water vapor thus supplied mixes with the air until the desired saturation is achieved at least in some parts, that is, in at least all relevant volume regions. To support the condensation process then initiated and the associated wetting of the surfaces with moisture, an ultrasonic humidifier 7 can optionally be used, which is indicated here only as a schematic block and is positioned in the production space 3. However, the ultrasonic humidifier 7 can also be arranged at another suitable location, for example in the housing of the steam generator 4. In any case, fine water droplets can be generated via the ultrasonic humidifier 7, as and when necessary, and can be discharged into the air contained in the production space 3. These water droplets also bind suspended particles, and they too settle on the free surfaces and contribute to the binding of powder residues.

[0024] Prior to the described process of powder binding via condensed water, a preliminary cleaning of the surfaces can optionally take place, with the housing 2 closed. For this purpose, a pressure nozzle 6 is optionally provided, which is supplied via a flexible hose and can be guided manually by way of the glove ports 14. The machine operator can use it to blow the soiled surfaces clean, whereupon the quantities of powder that swirl up are then suctioned off. The pressure nozzle 6 can be, for example, a compressed air nozzle or a multi-substance nozzle for supplying an air/water mixture. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the nozzle is a superheated steam nozzle, which is supplied via a steam line 9 from the steam generator 4.

[0025] The superheated steam, impinging with pressure on the corresponding surfaces, leads in the first instance to a preliminary cleaning in the manner described above. In addition, it contributes to increasing the relative air humidity in the production space 3. Accordingly, only quite a small quantity of water vapor then has to be supplied via the stationary steam nozzle 5 until the state of supersaturation and condensation arises. Alternatively, it may also suffice to do without the stationary steam nozzle 5 entirely and to supply the water vapor, both for the preliminary cleaning and for generating the supersaturated condensation state, via the pressure nozzle 6 alone.

[0026] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.